Fordham vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Comparable Facts

Compare Fordham University in Bronx, NY with Penn State Wilkes Barre in Dallas, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fordham University is larger than Penn State Wilkes-Barre based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fordham University is located in Bronx, NY (Large City setting); Penn State Wilkes Barre is in Dallas, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Wilkes Barre is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fordham University 14:1; Penn State Wilkes Barre 10:1.

Fordham vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fordham or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Wilkes Barre than Fordham ($16,621 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Wilkes Barre are 36.6% lower than at Fordham University ($15,274 vs. $24,090).
• Fordham University is 354.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Wilkes-Barre (about $50,635 more per year; $64,915.00 vs. $14,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 170.4% higher at Fordham than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (about $40,909 more per year; $64,915.00 vs. $24,006.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Penn State Wilkes Barre (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fordham University students is 269.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Wilkes Barre students ($35,988 vs. $9,742).

Fordham vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fordham or Penn State Wilkes-Barre? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Fordham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fordham University (1400) is 190 points higher than at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fordham University 1320/1480; Penn State Wilkes Barre 1090/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fordham University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fordham - Test optional; Penn State Wilkes-Barre - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than Fordham (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Fordham vs. 15% at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Fordham vs. Penn State Wilkes-Barre Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fordham and Penn State Wilkes-Barre? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Fordham University's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Penn State Wilkes Barre's (47%).
• Graduates from Fordham University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fordham University graduates have a $818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Fordham graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Wilkes-Barre graduates ($268 vs. $277).
• More Fordham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Wilkes-Barre students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.